Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022

Thursday, 15 September 2022

Questions (221)

Denis Naughten

Question:

221. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons within his Department who received the special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022; the number of workers who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more; the number of persons who availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022; the number of such persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45313/22]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Special leave with pay is currently used in lieu of sick leave for Covid-19 to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of Covid-19 in the work premises. In all cases, evidence from HSE is required in the form of a PCR test result or antigen test result registered on the HSE portal.

From 1st July 2022, any periods of Covid-19 related illness which extend beyond the stated self-isolation period, which is currently 7 calendar days, is treated as ordinary sick leave in line with the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations.

Please see information requested set out below in tabular format.

-	Civil Servants	Civilian Employees	Total
No. of persons who received special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1st July 2022;	152	235	387
No. of persons who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more;	1	0	1
No. of persons who availed of special leave with pay for Covid-19 since 1st July 2022;	37	21	58
No. of persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days;	14	49	63